clivem Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1504733858' post='3367017'] Yes, the ATKs are odd things. I don't find them particularly attractive but they play very well and sound great. I have a very tatty 305 that I kept meaning to customise, but it just stays around the house getting played.[/quote] The ATK doesn't really appeal to me. But that ATK-810-NTF Premium, (so it comes with the "soft/hard" case), and looks super cool with the wood pickguard, that several dealers have now discounted to £625....... [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1504733858' post='3367017'] I have one more Ibanez coming to my collection at the end of the week, but its not an SR, or an ATK. More on that later. [/quote] Looking forward to hearing about that. Edited September 7, 2017 by clivem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted September 8, 2017 Author Share Posted September 8, 2017 Well, it is a bit different than the others... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 8, 2017 Share Posted September 8, 2017 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1504891155' post='3368149'] Well, it is a bit different than the others... [/quote] Interesting and different. The last time I saw that body shape, it was a guitar being used by Paul Stanley of KISS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) At the risk of the OP's NBD thread going off at a tangent again...... (I've done a pretty good job of that already. ) I've just seen this.... [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332376350053]Ibanez Soundgear SR400EQM Bass Guitar in brown burst[/url] .... if anyone fancies dipping a toe in the SR waters, has 200 quid burning a hole in their pocket, lives close enough to pick this up, and assuming it doesn't attract too much attention and the price is driven-up.... It looks immaculate, 2015 model, PowerSpan pups with exposed pole pieces, love the QM finish... and if it plays as well as they normally do..... Edited September 12, 2017 by clivem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Oh hell! I've just seen the Jack Cassidy he's also selling..... [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Epiphone-Jack-Casady-Bass-Guitar-royale-blue-limited-edition-/332376298226]Epiphone Jack Casady Bass Guitar - royale blue limited edition[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) clivem said: At the risk of the OP's NBD thread going off at a tangent again...... (I've done a pretty good job of that already. ) I've just seen this....Ibanez Soundgear SR400EQM Bass Guitar in brown burst .... if anyone fancies dipping a toe in the SR waters, has 200 quid burning a hole in their pocket, lives close enough to pick this up, and assuming it doesn't attract too much attention and the price is driven-up....It looks immaculate, 2015 model, PowerSpan pups with exposed pole pieces, love the QM finish... and if it plays as well as they normally do..... Hey that does look good. I've not come across PowerSpan pups - are they a step up from the Ibby Barts that most folk find a bit tame? If not, how much would it cost to put in a couple of Big Nords (or by the time you've done that would you be better off just getting a second hand SR Premium with Nords already in, 'cos you almost certainly won't get the money back on souping up the SR400)? Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) An interesting thread [quote name='clivem' timestamp='1504771856' post='3367131'] The ATK doesn't really appeal to me. But that ATK-810-NTF Premium, (so it comes with the "soft/hard" case), and looks super cool with the wood pickguard, that several dealers have now discounted to £625....... Looking forward to hearing about that. [/quote] I am now using an ATK805 as my main gigging bass so here's my thoughts. I find that it bridges the gap between an MM and a precision very well, with more sound options than either. As a result has replaced my Stingray SR5, which is something that I never thought would happen. It has a 3 way switch, that is particularly well balanced and allows me to switch between a deep growl (and growl it does) to a more aggressive middy option without needing to touch the volume control. It has a great sound options that cut through like a knife when needed. An extremely comfortable bass with a meaty neck, lightweight and full of usable sound. I also have a BTB 1805, which I love and I find these newer generation Ibby basses amazing and user friendly. If recording I would use this as the evenness across, up and down the fret board is perfection. Add in in a great tone and it's bass heaven to play. I have owned a few ibanez basses in the past and loved an old prestige SR3005 that I had but found it at times complicated to dial in live. Nordstrands? I'm not sure why but the Nordstrands don't hit the spot for me. I tried them back to back with the Aguilar powered 1805 and ATK and they leave me cold...same with Delano. Edited September 12, 2017 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1505212177' post='3370225'] Hey that does look good. I've not come across PowerSpan pups - are they a step up from the Ibby Barts that most folk find a bit tame? If not, how much would it cost to put in a couple of Big Nords (or by the time you've done that would you be better off just getting a second hand SR Premium with Nords already in, 'cos you almost certainly won't get the money back on souping up the SR400)? [/quote] The Ibanez PowerSpan (ie. their own brand PUPs rather than Barts, CND, or Nordy), pickups are used in the models lower than the 500. If you like the Nordy Big Singles, you'll like the PowerSpan sound. I actually think they sound better than the licensed Bart PUPs that are used on the 500-800 models. Plenty of flexibility with them from the pre, with the humbucker, single, powertap switch and 3 pot EQ. The caveat with the PowerSpans being, that you need the latest gen with the exposed pole pieces. The early gen without the exposed pole pieces are nowhere near as good sounding. You don't need to soup up the 400. It uses the bridge from the 500-800 series, with the single screw for saddle height adjustment... Doesn't have the longer tongue into neck pocket, like the 500 through 800. Not that that's really a downside. Sure, you dont get the 707 tuners until you get up to the Premium, but the stock tuners are fine..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1505214686' post='3370244'] I'm not sure why but the Nordstrands don't hit the spot for me. I tried them back to back with the Aguilar powered 1805 and ATK and they leave me cold...same with Delano. [/quote] Yeah, not everyone does like the Nordy Big Singles. I've seen them described as clean and sterile and clinical. I think they are one of the best single coil sounds out there. I know a couple of guys have swapped out the Big Singles for either the stacked pickup Nordstrand do, or the Big Split, if you want something a little less cleaner sounding, but want to stick with Nordys. Edited September 12, 2017 by clivem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) clivem said: The Ibanez PowerSpan (ie. their own brand PUPs rather than Barts, CND, or Nordy), pickups are used in the models lower than the 500. If you like the Nordy Big Singles, you'll like the PowerSpan sound. I actually think they sound better than the licensed Bart PUPs that are used on the 500-800 models. Plenty of flexibility with them from the pre, with the humbucker, single, powertap switch and 3 pot EQ. The caveat with the PowerSpans being, that you need the latest gen with the exposed pole pieces. The early gen without the exposed pole pieces are nowhere near as good sounding. You don't need to soup up the 400. It uses the bridge from the 500-800 series, with the single screw for saddle height adjustment... Doesn't have the longer tongue into neck pocket, like the 500 through 800. Not that that's really a downside. Sure, you dont get the 707 tuners until you get up to the Premium, but the stock tuners are fine..... Cheers - in which case £195 does sound like a steal! I've forwarded the link on to a mate who I think might be interested. Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='clivem' timestamp='1505215168' post='3370249'] Yeah, not everyone does like the Nordy Big Singles. I've seen them described as clean and sterile and clinical [/quote] I find it odd that they are described as clean and sterile, the lack of clean sterility is exactly what I like about them - I would say the normal barts in a few of the other ibbys are clean and sterile. I got rid of my dingwall as I found it too polite, and some other basses. Perfectly understand that some people don't like them but that is an odd description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 (edited) Woodinblack said: I find it odd that they are described as clean and sterile, the lack of clean sterility is exactly what I like about them - I would say the normal barts in a few of the other ibbys are clean and sterile. I got rid of my dingwall as I found it too polite, and some other basses. Perfectly understand that some people don't like them but that is an odd description. +1 the big Nords in the SR Premium I'm playing are definitely not clean and sterile, but have a wonderfully aggressive growl particularly at the lower end. They're nothing like the Delanos in my Berg which are "hifi" (aka clean and sterile, if you prefer ) Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1503173603' post='3356275'] I agree the barts are good. Thats why other makes like Cort use them and you get a lot for your money. I think that they are a victim of their own success as people want to move on to try and improve their sound. The custom barts and eq in the Prestige basses are fantastic. Trends may have moved on but that doesn't detract from barts IMHO. [/quote] Bartolini are still the name in pickups, IMO. Bill Bartolini has been there from the start of the boutique bass scene and his pickups are truly incredible. His pickups are still the standard for a great many custom builders. New fads in pickups will come and go but Barts will always be Barts. My SR3006ESOL has Barts and a Bartolini circuit. That naturally dark, middy sound that Bart are known for really works in that bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) Ok I guess this Q is vaguely related to our current discussion on PUPs and Ibby SR's... I do love the look of and definitely have GAS for a neck through bass, with the additional sustain that it brings. There's a neck through Ibby BTB with Aguilar PUPs - any views on i) Aggie PUPs? And (ii) more generally thoughts on the SR Premium vs BTB Premium ranges for those of you that have had them both? I note that the BTB 1805 is about £200 more new than the SR 1805 (£1,300 vs £1,100) so they're not a million miles apart on price. Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1505235724' post='3370444'] the big Nords in the SR Premium I'm playing are definitely not clean and sterile, but have a wonderfully aggressive growl particularly at the lower end. They're nothing like the Delanos in my Berg which [i]are[/i] "hifi" (aka clean and sterile, if you prefer ) [/quote] It's all about context, me thinks..... Play a SR500 with the licensed Bart Mk1's, back-to-back, with a Nordy Big Single equipped Premium, and they are so chalk and cheese sounding, that you would be describing one as clean/hi-fi/sterile/aggressive, and the other as warm/vintage/wooly/dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1505290941' post='3370714'] any views on i) Aggie PUPs? And (ii) more generally thoughts on the SR Premium vs BTB Premium ranges for those of you that have had them both? I note that the BTB 1805 is about £200 more new than the SR 1805 (£1,300 vs £1,100) so they're not a million miles apart on price. [/quote] Can't comment on the Aggie PUPs, the last BTB I had in my hands was equipped with Big Singles. You'd have been hard-pressed with your eyes closed, sound wise, to tell the difference between it and a SR with Big Singles. I wish Ibanez would bring back the 4 string BTB, currently only making 5's. Edited September 13, 2017 by clivem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1505290941' post='3370714'] Ok I guess this Q is [i]vaguely[/i] related to our current discussion on PUPs and Ibby SR's... [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I do love the look of and definitely have GAS for a neck through bass, with the additional sustain that it brings. There's a neck through [/font][/color][url="http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail17.php?year=2017&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=53&data_id=109&color=CL01"]Ibby BTB with Aguilar PUPs [/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]- any views on i) Aggie PUPs? And (ii) more generally thoughts on the SR Premium vs BTB Premium ranges for those of you that have had them both? I note that the BTB 1805 is about £200 more new than the SR 1805 (£1,300 vs £1,100) so they're not a million miles apart on price.[/font][/color] [/quote] I'm very pleased with the BTB1805, I played it several times before buying. It was a big purchase for me as I only ever bought 1 other new bass and was thinking about a custom build. The big differences are obvious, the "looks" the slightly wider string spacing, which I need, Also it is suprisingly light and nimble to play. You can hear why I bought it in this video. It is a pretty accurate reflection of the sound [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2osFbwuOyEE"]https://www.youtube....h?v=2osFbwuOyEE[/url] Edited September 13, 2017 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivem Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1505290941' post='3370714'] I do love the look of and definitely have GAS for a neck through bass, with the additional sustain that it brings.[/quote] Al, if you do fancy a BTB, there is a Big Single equipped 1405 in the classifieds.... The guy is in London, you're in London.... Not a bad price, [url=http://basschat.co.uk/topic/280157-fs-ibanez-btb1405-premium/]FS: Ibanez BTB1405 Premium[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) clivem said: Al, if you do fancy a BTB, there is a Big Single equipped 1405 in the classifieds.... The guy is in London, you're in London.... Not a bad price, FS: Ibanez BTB1405 Premium Cheers buddy - that does look good and I have had my eye on it from time to time. Not sure why it hasn't shifted in 18 months, which seems to me to be a very long time for a bass not to sell on here? Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1505291946' post='3370726'] I'm very pleased with the BTB1805, I played it several times before buying. It was a big purchase for me as I only ever bought 1 other new bass and was thinking about a custom build. The big differences are obvious, the "looks" the slightly wider string spacing, which I need, Also it is suprisingly light and nimble to play. [/quote] I love the look of the BTB, maybe even more than the SR, so I got one once but turns out the string spacing is way more than I could cope with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) Pinball said: I'm very pleased with the BTB1805, I played it several times before buying. It was a big purchase for me as I only ever bought 1 other new bass and was thinking about a custom build. The big differences are obvious, the "looks" the slightly wider string spacing, which I need, Also it is suprisingly light and nimble to play. You can hear why I bought it in this video. It is a pretty accurate reflection of the sound https://www.youtube....h?v=2osFbwuOyEE Had a chance to have a listen to the video - I thought it was going to be you playing, so I was a bit confused when this "Benjamin Mah" geezer turned up - lol! I think sonically, as CliveM said, not a million miles from the Ibby SR, so I'm definitely going to struggle to justify getting, but I can see it appealing to folk who are fans of 35" scale 5 string basses as an alternative to the SRs. Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Back to PUPs. A/Bd my SR1800 with its big single Nords with a mate's really gorgeous looking SR1000 which has Bart PUPs (and a lovely neck through design - which I'm a sucker for). Both through a Genzler Magellan head and great sounding TecAmp 2x12 cab. His immediate reaction was that he also [i]loved[/i] the SR1800 sound and offered me an immediate trade there and then! I politely declined... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 (edited) MikanHannille said: Also checkout bassdirect's ibanez recently. There's a SR1405 for £575 used. Couldn't beat that price! http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Ibanez_SR1405T.html Not sure the colour is for me, but in terms of value this is a steal... Edited March 1, 2018 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 [quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1506253865' post='3377305'] http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Ibanez_SR1405T.html Not sure the colour is for me, but in terms of value this is a steal... [/quote] Oh that is very me. If I were still playing SR fivers, I don't think I'd be able to resist that. Phew, close shave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 Yes that's really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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